Former President Jimmy Carter said Monday that Hamas – the Islamic militant group that has called for the destruction of Israel – is prepared to accept the right of the Jewish state to “live as a neighbor next door in peace.”

I’ll believe it when I see it. Expect Carter’s statement to be denounced by Hamas in 5 . . .4 . . .3 . . .

The bustling store in the heart of Silicon Valley usually sells four or five varieties of rice to a clientele largely of Asian immigrants, but only about half a pallet of Indian-grown Basmati rice was left in stock. A 20-pound bag was selling for $15.99.

“You can’t eat this every day. It’s too heavy,” a health care executive from Palo Alto, Sharad Patel, grumbled as his son loaded two sacks of the Basmati into a shopping cart. “We only need one bag but I’m getting two in case a neighbor or a friend needs it,” the elder man said.

Oh, now I feel bad. The health care executive is buying more of the “heavy” rice in case he needs to feed his neighbors. I’m sure his emaciated executive neighbors will thank him.